Raga Bolo: Discovering Hidden Talent

Smirnoff Raga Bolo

Smirnoff Raga Bolo is proud to have helped unearth some of Mzansi’s undiscovered talent during it’s street soccer championship in 2016. One of the 136 teams that entered the tournament walked away with the coveted Smirnoff Raga Bolo trophy and a grand cash prize of R100 000. We’re also proud to announce our MVP (Most Valuable Player), an Umlazi-born skhokho, Nkanyiso Mcanyana, who’s destined for greatness.

Growing up in Folweni Township, this Durbanite has always had the passion and drive to someday become a professional soccer player. He netted more goals than anyone in the Raga Bolo Finals, guiding his tavern team, Maqando Fudu, all the way to the end of the tournament. This caught the eye of ex-Kaizer Chiefs player, SA international and current Raga Bolo KING Stanton Fredericks, who saw potential in the compact KZN star and arranged a trial with the Glamour Boys.

Mcanyana’s flight to meet Fredericks in Jozi was his first aboard an aeroplane. His parents were always confident that his passion for soccer would take him far, but they didn’t think it would happen so soon. Their joy alone was already a reward for the golden boy.

When asked about his Raga Bolo experience and what his ambitions are for the future, Nkanyiso said: “I’m very grateful to Smirnoff for giving me the stage to show what I can do. I plan on going to Jozi in January for further training with Chiefs, so I hope it goes well.

My dream is to become a professional soccer player, and I hope I can achieve that goal.”

To have come from such humble beginnings, and then win a national championship alongside his peers, and then be voted the Smirnoff Raga Bolo MVP has been a dream come true! The pro trials were the cherry on top.

Something valuable Nkanyiso takes away from the experience is the firm belief that if you dream big, train hard and play hard, everything is within reach.

Smirnoff Raga Bolo is a game for everyone, giving local talent the platform on which to showcase skill and love for the beautiful game, while also bringing communities, fans and players together through a shared love of soccer. For this reason, Smirnoff Raga Bolo can rightly be called the people’s event to which everyone is invited.